Election Preparations

When launching the election security operations in Port Moresby yesterday, he said at this stage with technological advancement, the security forces would be faced with significant challenges in ensuring the people are given the right and timely information.

“In the course of this operation, we will be subject to shooting, criticisms and deliberate acts designed to bring the operation into disrepute. This is expected. And we must not allow this to distract us from our efforts,” Commissioner

Over the past weeks 24 CIS officers have been attending gym sessions at the High Performance centre, Gelegele, thanks to the support of owner and former Kumuls Coach Michael Marum.

Fitness programs have always been part of their yearly physical exercise, but due to the lack of gymnasium facility at the institution, they have not been able to maintain this exercise. With the elections now in progress, the Kerevat CS approached Marum to use the HP Center at intervals, and he agreed.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Inspector Daniel Yangen, who recently taken over the command, said he needs these important details before he can commence pre-election and election-proper security operations.

“We have on record 224 policemen and women in the Southern Highlands Province. However, I will have to conduct a manpower audit to confirm whether this number is actually present in the province. Parades will be conducted in the following week to cross check names to ensure the current manpower list of 224 are actually on the ground,” Mr Yangen said.

Manus Election Manager, Sponsa Navi, confirms there will be a total of 105 Election officials and 12 Assistant Returning Officers sent out for each of the 12 LLGs.

10 officials with six security personnel will also make the one day trip to the islands of Western Manus on the HMPNG Tarangau Patrol Boat today.

The remaining teams for the other 10 LLGs will be dispatched to their allocated venues starting tomorrow (Friday).

Awa-Wuvulu Rural LLG has seven polling venues which will see one day polling in each venue from Saturday June 24 to Thursday June 29^th.